The Barony of Meigle and Fullerton derives from two ancient territorial designations in eastern Scotland whose histories have been intertwined for many centuries.
The lands of Meigle lie in Strathmore near Alyth, at a strategic location south of the confluence of the Rivers Isla and Dean. The district has been occupied since very early times and is particularly renowned for its remarkable collection of Pictish symbol stones and early Christian crosses, now preserved in the Meigle Museum. Nearby are the remains of the Roman fort of Cardean, constructed during the Roman advance into Scotland in the first century AD. Local tradition also associates Meigle with the burial place of Queen Guinevere, wife of the legendary King Arthur, while early medieval sources record that the story of St Regulus was written there during the ninth century.
By the reign of King William I of Scotland (1165–1214), Meigle had already emerged as an independent barony. The lands were held by the family of de Meigle, whose name appears in a number of early records. Simon de Meigle granted the church and chapel of the barony to the Chapter of St Andrews and later transferred related endowments to the Bishop of Dunkeld. The family retained possession of the lands until 1404, when they passed to the Lindsay family.
The second territorial element of the barony derives from Fullerton, a name recorded in various historical forms including Fullarton, Foullertoune and Foulerton. The Fullertons were associated with the Stewards of Bute and rose to prominence during the reign of King Robert I. In 1327 Robert the Bruce granted lands in the sheriffdom of Forfar to Galfridus de Foullertoune and appointed him royal falconer for the district.
The Fullartons held these lands for more than 120 years before they became incorporated into the jurisdiction of Meigle. Although the precise legal mechanism by which this occurred is no longer entirely clear, the association proved enduring and land bearing the name Fullerton survives in the district to this day. The connection between the two territories ultimately gave rise to the historic double barony of Meigle and Fullerton.
There is extensive documentary evidence demonstrating the continuity of the barony through succeeding centuries. On 21 July 1623 King James VI erected Meigle into a free Burgh of Barony, confirming its importance as a local centre of administration and commerce.
A gravestone in Meigle dated 1658 records that William Fullarton of that Ilk, Chief of Clan Fullarton and Baron of Meigle and Fullerton, married Margaret Lindsay, de jure fourth Lady Spynie, eldest daughter of Elizabeth Bethune of Balfour and David Lindsay. Through successive generations the chiefs of Clan Fullarton continued to hold the barony.
During the eighteenth century the baronies passed to Patrick Murray, fifth Lord Elibank. In 1778 he conveyed them by Deed of Surrender to his illegitimate son Patrick Murray of Simprim. The baronies were subsequently acquired in 1836 by John Bowes Lyon, Earl of Strathmore.
In 1878 the barony passed to Sir George Kinloch and remained with the Kinloch family into the twentieth century. In 1939 Sir George Kinloch conveyed the baronies to Alexander Crundall, who held them until 2002. He was succeeded by Anthony Philip Browne, the internationally acclaimed interior designer.
In 2013 the Barony of Meigle and Fullerton was conveyed to its present holder, continuing a territorial dignity whose recorded history extends from medieval Scotland into the twenty-first century.
